Thursday 21 April 2016

Happy Birthday.

I am not a fervent Royalist - in fact I rarely think about the issue - but I do however admire Her Majesty the Queen for the way she conducts herself in so many areas of her life.

I am just old enough to remember the death of George V, the 'scandal' of Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson, and the coronation of George VI, so I go back a long way in all things royal.

In so many ways the Royal Family are privileged and yet there are also so many areas in which their lives are restricted by protocol.  They are always in the public eye whether they like it or not and every tiny slip-up is reported.

As she walked out into the grounds of Windsor Castle yesterday afternoon I couldn't help thinking that she began to look like an old lady.   Yes, I know she is ninety today, but by golly doesn't she carry her age well and just keep going.

So Happy Birthday Your Majesty.   I hope you have a lovely day.
And I wouldn't mind a slice of that super cake that Nadiya (Bake off) is baking this morning especially for the big day.  Hope it turns out to perfection.

27 comments:

Heather said...

Our Queen is a very special lady and will be an incredibly hard act to follow. She is an inspiration to us all and I wouldn't swap places with her for anything. Wishing her a very Happy Birthday and some precious peace and quiet in which to enjoy it.

Librarian said...

Heather has said it all in her comment! Here in Germany, we have had no Royals since the end of WWI, but if we did have them, I'd like them to be like your Queen.
There have been several biographic documentaries about her on telly over the past few weeks, and like you, I admire her for how she has been mastering her anything but easy life.

Derek Faulkner said...

Sorry, but I'm going to be a party pooper here. If we all had the very best constant and private medical care, the very best food, the very best transport, were waited on hand and foot and never had normal everyday stresses such as we all have, don't you think that we could all look pretty good at 90. Clearly she is going to go on until she dies, which in one way is a blessing, because it will shorten the amount of time that the awful and old-fashioned Prince Charles will reign, (I'm sure he even sleeps in a suit). If only we could jump Charles to William and Kate and get some youthful and modern outlook in place, I could accept that.

Yorkshire Pudding said...

Your Majesty,

I understand that you are a secret reader of "Weaver of Grass" so I know you will be reading this post and associated comments over your cocoa this evening. You have been on the British throne all my life and you may recall that I waved to you when you visited Hull in the sixties. I am not a big fan of kings and queens but you have been a good 'un - a constant rock in the shifting tides of time. Happy ninetieth birthday ma'am! I have sent you a Hull City first team shirt with "QUEEN" printed on the back. I hope you wear it in bed some nights. It might get Philip frisky again.

Best wishes from your loyal subject,

Y. Pudding Esquire

Dawn said...

She dosent do me no harm, I would love to have a private one-to-one with her and I would never like to walk in her shoes, Happy Birthday Queenie have a good one.
Oh an if you are rading this, pop in for a cuppa if your passing just bring your wellies :-)

The Broad said...

I think she is wonderful and long may she reign.

Cro Magnon said...

I suppose I would have to be classified as a 'royalist'. To me they are simply a figurehead family, who tie us all together under one flag. I think they do a fantastic job.

Mac n' Janet said...

She's been through a lot in her life and always handles herself well, so I too say Happy Birthday.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Oh dear Derek - I seem to have touched a raw nerve. I expected to do it with somebody - but no harm done. We are all entitled to our say - that is the good thing about blogging.
Y Pudding - your answer mademe laugh.

Rachel Phillips said...

I would not wish to be without them. Imagine just having a bunch of politicians prancing about thinking they were the cat's whisker on our behalf. Unthinkable. Happy Birthday to the Queen and may you have many many more.

Derek Faulkner said...

Pat, thanks for accepting my opinion in the right way and I'll leave it at that.

Joanne Noragon said...

I think your monarchy is a lovely thing. I think William was raised wonderfully by Diana, who did infuse a bit of modernity into the family. I think the Queen has done a wonderful job finishing up for Diana, and I hope to see a deal of little George being raised a royal. Happy birthday to the Queen who has the same name as my oldest daughter.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Almost paid you a visit a couple of weeks ago. We were down the road near Grantley. Unfortunately, our visit coincided with The Farmers illness and we thought a couple of pop-in guests might be too much to handle. Next time?! xxx

Esther Montgomery said...

I wouldn't in the least be surprised to find out that the Queen is one of your regular readers. I expects she enjoys this blog very much.

I am not a Royalist but admire the Queen for her hard work - and I reckon it is hard work too. It's daily, year in, year out. Little choice. Incredibly boring for much of the time (most of the time?). Being constantly with people.

I wouldn't make a good Queen. I don't have the stamina. I would want to read a book while standing around. And would go and chat in the kitchen at big functions instead of making small talk with the guests. I'd get very grumpy and impolite. I'd ask 'Why?' too often and find it impossible to keep my beliefs and opinions to myself.

Whenever there's a wreath laying and she walks forward on her own and walks backwards and deals with the steps no trouble . . . I go 'wow'.

donna baker said...

Oh Pat, I do admire and love the Queen. They don't make them like her anymore. National Treasure wouldn't be fitting - more like Humanity Treasure.

Coppa's girl said...

I can accept that Derek has his opinion, but I think he forgets the many hours that the Queen is "on duty", and what a wonderful figurehead she is. The Royal family add a sense of stability and continuity to Britain. Long may she reign.

Bovey Belle said...

I admire our Royal family. They work blardy hard as figureheads, don't have that many free moments to themselves, have to go to umpteen boring functions and appear happy (which I would find VERY difficult) and anything they do in the public eye is up for criticism from the media. The alternative is some jumped-up Politician calling himself President or head of state and costing the country far more.

Doffing my hat to you ma'am, if only for the fact you can still ride a horse at 90. Not many can manage that!

angryparsnip said...

Awwwwwwww, I have always admired the Queen.
I wish her a very Happy Birthday. She gets two birthdays so that is even better.

Let There Be Cake !

cheers, parsnip

Midmarsh John said...

I can remember watching the coronation on my paternal grandfather's twelve inch black and white television. In fact the room was crowded with neighbours and family as owning a TV was rarer back then. How things, especially technology, have changed since then.

Sierra Sue said...

This Yank always admired The Queen. Bless Her, she's had a long wonderful life.
Like us common folk, she's endured many aspects of "family" issues and carried on.
She held her head high.
Forever loved, that's your Queen.

Cro Magnon said...

About 15 royalists, and one dissenter. I think that's about right.

The Weaver of Grass said...

I smiled at Midmarsh John - we all went to my aunt's and she had a similar TV. We all sat round and there were sandwiches and cakes to eat - I remember the day as if it was yesterday.

Thanks everyone for all your comments.

potty said...

Sorry to be late again. I am a supporter of the whole Royal Family. I thought that the Happy Birthday message on a corgi hair was absolutely brilliant.

Gwil W said...

Long live the present monarch. I'm dreading Charlie and Gladys moving in.

Gwil W said...

I think she'd have retired long ago but there is nobody suitable in line before we get to William.

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

I am a bit of a monarchist. Oh I know they are rich and spoiled but they do have a job to do and we all love watching them do it. Her Majesty has been exemplary in her role. I hope she is happy.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Yes, she looks extremely well for her age. Have to admire her stamina. I enjoyed seeing the photo of her with her youngest grandchildren and great grandchildren.